Frederick’s Journey: The Life of Frederick Douglass, written by Doreen Rappaport and illustrated by London Ladd, has been named a 2016 Notable Children’s Book: Middle Reader by the American Library Association. The full list can be viewed here. Congrats London on this terrific honor!
Sewing Stories, written by Barbara Herkert and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton, is the wonderful picture book biography of Harriet Powers, a little-known artist born into slavery in rural Georgia. The book was released in late 2015 by Random House Children’s Books to praise from Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal, and was recently featured on SLJ’s list “Celebrating African Americans: The Arts.” The list features recent picture book biographies that introduce young readers to “noteworthy African Americans who have defined their place in the world by following their passions and pursuing their art. The full list can be viewed here. Praise for Sewing Stories: “A much-needed introduction to the life of a little known African American artist, with many possible curriculum connections: artists, quilters, women’s history, and the Civil War.”–School Library Journal “As a picture-book introduction to an unsung artist, it inspires. Harriet Powers: an artist worth knowing.”–Kirkus Reviews
Ashley Spires‘ Over-Scheduled Andrew was released by Tundra Books this week. In this sequel to Edie’s Ensembles, Andrew and Edie return in a cautionary tale that Kirkus calls a “tongue-in-cheek take on an all-too-common plight.” When Andrew signs up for too many extracurricular activities, he learns the trouble in spreading oneself too thin. Publishers Weekly writes, “While the premise of the overcommitted child has been explored before…Spires makes it her own, bringing a playful touch to her writing and artwork. In fact, insofar as this is a message book, the real takeaway is less ‘know your limits’ than ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained.'” You can read the Kirkus review here, and the Publishers Weekly review here. Over-Scheduled Andrew was also featured on CBC Canada’s Spring 2016 Book Preview. Purchase a copy of the book here.
One Plastic Bag, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon and written by Miranda Paul, has been included on the 2016 Amelia Bloomer List which celebrates “Recommended Feminist Literature for Birth through 18.” One Plastic Bag tells the true story of Isatou Ceesay who started a recycling movement in her village in Gambia by inspiring women to turn plastic bags into plastic purses. This tale is the perfect book to empower young girls to dream big and create change. Visit the full list here. Congrats Elizabeth and Miranda!
Sarah Dillard‘s new chapter book series Mouse Scouts is now available from Knopf Books for Young Readers. The first two books in the series, Mouse Scouts and Mouse Scouts Make A Difference were released simultaneously at the beginning of the month. Kirkus calls the books “a welcome series for new readers.” Order your copies here.
Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, written by Katheryn Russel Brown and illustrated by Frank Morrison, recently received a wonderful review from the Read It Real Good blog! Little Melba tells the story of a black female Jazz musician and her quest from childhood to adulthood to become a successful trombone player. Read It Real Good praised Little Melba for its diversity and for Frank Morrison’s “dynamic” art, writing that “His oil paintings embody jazz.” You can read the whole review on the blog, and Little Melba can be purchased online here!
